Chelsea are concerned about the recent injury to their right back Malo Gusto as they struggle with another injury ridden start to the season.
Chelsea have had serious injury concerns since the last season. Mauricio Pochettino was out with Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku for the most part of the last season. This time Enzo Maresca has inherited that team and again hit with the same old problem. First team captain Recce James got injured before the season even started. Now Malo Gusto limped off the pitch against Crystal Palace on Sunday with a significant time period out.
MALO GUSTO INJURY
French U21 full back Malo Gusto was forced off the pitch in a recent Premier League match against Crystal Palace at the Stamford Bridge. The 21 year old was seen clutching his hamstring as he went down in the middle of the match. The player was unable to continue and was takes off the pitch soon. The night went bad from worst as Chelsea were unable to take full points and held to a 1-1 draw. The added frustration from the fans was clearly visible in the stands.
Eventhough Enzo Maresca had sarcastically reffered to it as a minor muscle problem. It was clearly evident from the beginning that it was a serious one. And we will not be able to see the frenchman back anytime soon. It was later confirmed by the French football federation and the official website of Chelsea FC that Malo Gusto has sutained a thigh injury. The frenchman was also called up to the French U21 team for the matches against Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzangovina but has been withdrawn from the squad with injury.
THE RIGHT BACK DILEMMA
Enzo Maresca has been put into a major dilemma now with both of his first an second choice right backs sidelines for the next few games. Reece James got injured in the preseaon and is nursing a hamstring injury now and will not be back untill the end of the month. Malo Gusto’s situation is even more tougher that there is no exact return date for the young frenchman now. With both of them out of the picture Maresca should now thing something out of the box to line up against Bournemouth on saturday in the Premier League. He played the majority of the first few matches in a four at the back formation. While Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill and expected to retain their starting spot after impressive display in the matches they have started together. And the left back spot may also be retained by Marc Cucurella.
Coming to the right back position, Maresca would wither have to play Moises Caicedo in an unorthadox position inorder to make the game plan stick. The Ecuadorian generally plays as a defensive midfielder. But has made a few appearences in the right back position in the past. The last time Caicedo played against Bournemouth he scored a worldie from the half way line.
Another clear option in front of the Blues manager would be playing Axel Disasi in that position. The frenchman normally operates at the heart of the defence. But this season he might get more minutes in the right back position as it seems. He has also played in that position in the Carabao Cup against Middlesborough the previous season.
CHANCE FOR ACHAEMPONG?
If Enzo Maresca is brave enough we might see the 18 year old Josh Achaempong play in right back. The Englishman normally plays as a centreback but is highly versatile and could play at full back positions also. The speed, skills and bit of technical ability will enable him to slot right into that position. But the Question is will Maresca take chance with the youngster or go with Axel Disasi or Caicedo? With Romeo Lavia expected to be back for the Bournemouth game, we might most probably see Caicedo sent into the right back position.
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